Lock and seal for boxes.



s. B. HELD.

LOCK AND .SEAL FOR BOXES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 4. |916.

Patented Nv. 20, 1917.

mman

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' @Fg/WMM @tp/@M portion of the cover plate which lies on the top face of the cover B, said rib being.

formed hollow by stamping up out of the metal which forms the cover plate as shown in Figs 3 and 4. The purpose of this rib will be hereinafter described.

The said cover plate also has a downwardly extending front flange 12 which ex,

. the locking mechanism byi-serving as sort of bumpersV or-defiectors to ward Oil' blows striking against. the locking mechanism when one box falls on another or glancing blows strike it from any outside source. Secured to the upper front face of the front panel A 'is the plate 15, which is hereinafter referred to as the keeper, said plate being secured to the front panel A by the sealing plate 16 as will be described. The

keeper plate 15 has a three-sided slit 17- formed in its face thereby forming a tongue 18 as shown in Fig. 6. This keeper plate is preferably made of spring metal and the tongue 18 remains normally in an outwardly bent position as yshown in Figs. 3 and 4. The plate 15 is preferably formed with two vertical hollow rib portions 19 struck up out of the metal for safeguard purposes to be hereinafter described..

The sealing plate 16 is of a vertical length and of a horizontal width sufficient to cover the front face of the locking plate, and at each side edge it is bent backward at right angles, forming the' two rearwardly extending portions20. Each of these two side portions has wings which are curled into shape of open cylinders to formstuds 21 terminating in extensions 24 which are to serve as clenchers. Each of the two side portions of the sealing plate is thus formed with two of these hollow studs 21 as shown in Fig. 6.

The front panel A is formed with four holes 22 corresponding in relative position to the relative positions of the said'tubular studs 21. Thev said studs 21 are of a length equal l to the full 4thickness of the double'wall of the panel A. The sealing plate 16 is formed with thetwo vertical rib portions 23 to allow for the rib portions 19 of the keeper plate. It should he .mentioned that the riveting means for the sealing plate is made integral Vwith the plate so that it is impossible to destroy the fastening lmeans to remove the plate from the box after the cover hasr been sealedwitliout destroying the sealing plate A itself. 'If the plate were fastened on with rivets, asis the cover plate, the rivets could be broken off and the'box openedv after which the plate 'could be riveted` on again. With the riveting means made integral with the plate, if theV plate is removedV by destroying the `fastening means, it cannot 1G' andthe studsV 21 are all brought into alinelnent with the respective holes 22 in the panel-Af, then the said studs are pushed through the said holes 22 and the olencher lingers 241- are also passed through the notches 25 in the edge of the keeper plate and through the hole in the panel A. lVhen they are thus far assembled the clencher lingers 24 are bent back at right angles to the portions 20 and flat against the inner i i face of the panel A -as shown in` Fig. 5. llhis securely locks the plate. 15 and the sealing plate 16 together and to the panel. W hen the parts are thus assembled there is a slight space between 'the sealing plate 16 and the keeper plate'15 equal to the distance that the lower end of the tongue 18 stands out from the plane of the locking plate 15. f

The cover Plate 9 is fr Ormed with a slit 26 i along near its front edge for the purpose of receiving the key which is to lbe described.

'The key consists'of a plate somewhat T-shaped as' viewed front elevation and somewhat like an inverted L as viewed in side elevation. It has a `vertical portion 27V which forms the'stem of the 'l' or of the L andhas a top flange portion 28 which as viewed in front elevation is of greater length than the stemportion 27 is wide, that is. it 'i l extends not only for the full width of Vthe stem portion 27 but also laterally on each side of it. The stem 27 has a cut out portion 29 'andthe flange'top 28 preferably has two downwardly vextending earsV 30 one on each side of the `stem 27. Preferably also the flange 28 is not exactlyat right angles to the stem 27 but 4forms aV slightly acute angle therewith as shown in Fig8 and for the purpose to be described.V Thel stem `27 is also formed with vertical rib portions 31 along the side edgesspaced apart to correspond tothe hollow .ribs 19 onthe keeper plate, but of alittle greater diameter so as'to cover said ribs 19. Y y., Y

f'lhe object. of, the ribs '19 on thel keeper plate l5 and the ribs 23 on the sealngplate neaaasi 1'6 is so that` the key stem 27m-.ust have similar ribs and thus prevent the use of a flat key which could more easily and quickly be made by .a person who wished to tamper with the box.

The tongue 18 on the keeper plate should be substantially the `itull width of the space between the ribs 31 on the key plate stem 27, and the opening `29 should be ot' substantiallv the tiiill width of the space between the ribs e1 so that an .entirely flat key of a `width to pass down between the ribs 19 could not have an opening Q9 of suiiicient width to receive the tongue 18 of the keeper plate, as the opening would then Vextend substantially entirely across the stem or" the key and so weaken it as to make the key useless.

rlhe keeper plate 15 and the sealing plate 16 are permanently assembled withthe front panel when the box is constructed and form a permanent part of the box.

After the box is filled and it is desired to lock and seal the same, the cover is shut down, then the stem 27 of the key is inserted. through the slit 2G along the front edge of the cover and is pushed down between the keeper plate 15 and the sealing plate 16. The ribs 19 ot the keeper plate lorm guides :t'or the ribs 31 oi the key, there being suilicient space between the keeper plate and the sealing plate as previously described for the passage ot the key. The 'lower end of the tongue 18 of the keeper plate normally engages the inner face :of the sealing plate. As the key is forced down in the space between the keeper plate and the sealing plate, tie lower end of the tongue will act as a wedge to force back the said .spring tongue 18 inte the plane of the body of the keeper plate until the lower edge of the open space 29 of the key passes below the lower .end of the tongue 18, whereupon the tongue 18 which will then have been put under ten sien will snap back through the opening 29 `and against the. inner face of the sealing plate '1.6 and engage just above the lower edge 32 of .the opening 2t) in the Vstern of .the key. 't .any attempt is made to with draw the key the lower edge :82 of the slot will engage the end of the `tongue 18 and serve as a stop vto prevent the key `from being withdrawn. The only way, therefore, that 'the key can be lpulled ont is by breaking the key.

A s already stated, the ange Q8 is preten ably made .at an nente :angle ito the stem 27. The purpose .of this uis so that when the key irst introduced and pushed down into engagement with the locking plate. the lower end of the flange 28 vwill stand up while the .outer edge rests on the face of the cover plate as shown in dotted lines in Fig. En this position the Vstem 27 will Vnot be down unite tar enough forthe lower edge oft vthe slot :'39 to .pass below the-.lower enti of thetongue 18. ln order to force the key home so as to bring the lower edge 3:2 ot' the notch E29 below the tongue 18, the key must be forced or driven down at the bend between the flange and the stein enough to bring the flange 28 into right angles with the stem. 27, thus creating additional tension to hold the tongue irmly in engage ment with the keeper plate. Thefull lines or the itl-ange in l? ig. 3 show the key in its completelocking position. .lt `is now i1npossible to disengage the key without break :ing oil' the 'flange 28 oi' the key so that the key can then be pushed down entirely through the space between the keeper and the sealing pla ,e and come out at the bottom. The sealing `plate therefore serves as a guard to protect the locking mechanism. lit is impossible to insert a tool from either the top or the bottom to release the tongue or vto force the key down through the slot between the keeper and the sealing plate belore the flange or head is broken ofi".

TJhat l claim is 1. Locking mechanism for a covered box, said locking mechanism comprising a keeper plate permanently attached to the outside 'tace ol' one of the panels o the box adjacent the cover, a guard plate which covers the outer :tace and sides of said keeper and is permanently `secured to the same panel to which the keeper is secured in such manner as to leave an entrance between the keeper and guard at the edge adjacent the cover, the cover being formed with an aperture in. alineinent with the entrance between the ard and keeper, an independent key which adapted to be inserted through the aperture in the cover and make interlocking engagement with the keeper, and means whereby after the latch connection is made the key is held against removal.

2. Looking mechanism for a covered box, said locking mechanism comprising a keeper attached to the outer face of one of the panels et 'the box adjacent the cover, the cover being formed with a projection having la slotted opening forming an entrance te said keeper entirely outside of the box interior, a key which is adapted to be inserted. into Vsaid opening in the cover and engage with 'said keeper to lock the cover closed` and means for preventing the withdrawal of the key after its engagement with the keeper.

3. ,A locking and sealing mechanism lor a covered box' having a cover with a slotted opening therein, said locking mechanism comnrisip a key which is adapted to entend through said opening, the key being' formed with a `head which is adapted to engage with the cover and prevent the key from passing entirely `through said opening` an adjacent panel having mechanism with which s .id

kev is ada ated to en 'ao'e tofleok the said .Je

covei` and panel together, a guard plate attached to said second panel which covers and prevents access to said locking means, and means integral with the said guard plate by which it is attached to the panel of the box.

4. A locking and sealing device for a covered box comprising a key separate from the box, cooperating means connected with z the cove;1 and cooperating means connected with the outer face of one of the panels of the box, said key being adapted to be introduced into engagement with both of Said coperating means to effect a locking engagement between said cover and panel, said locking mechanism being entirely outside out the interior of the box and being so constructed that after being` locked, the locking connection can be released only by the destruction ot the key.

5. A locking and sealing device for a covered boxsaid device comprising a plate attached to the cover of the box and having a slotted projection which extends over the front edge of the cover, a keeper plate attached to the outer tace of the front panel of the box, a springl tongue projecting fromv the keeper, sealingplate overlying the keeper and projecting tongue and secured to the front panel` and an independent key having a stem which is adapted to be inserted through the slot in the cover plate, thence down between the keeper and the sealing plate and between the tongue and the sealing plate and having a shoulder which when the key has been pushed down a predetermined distance will engage with the tongue of the keeper in suchV manner as to prevent the key from then being withdrawn, said key having a head which limits the downward movement of the key.

6. A locking and sealing device for a covered box. said device comprising a plate attached to the cover ot' the box and having a slotted projection which extends over the front edge of the cover, a keeper plate attached to the front panel of the box, a spring tongue projecting from the keeper, a sealing plate overlying the keeper and projectine: tongue, said sealing plate having on the side edges projections in the'form of studs which pass through holes in the'front panel of the box, and clencher fingers which are bent against the inner face of the panel to secure the sealing plate and keeper to the panel. and a key having a -stem which is adapted to Vbe inserted through the slot in the cover plate thence down between the keeper and the sealing plate and between the tongue and the sealing plate `and having a shoulder which' when the key has been pushed down a predetermined distance will engage with the tongue of the keeper in such manner-as to lprevent the key from then being withdrawn.v

7. A locking and sealing device for a covered box, said device comprising a plate aty tached to the outside of the cover of the box andfhaving a slotted projection'which extends over the front edge ot' the cover, a keeper plate attached to the outer tace Y01' the front panel ofthebox, a spring tongue projecting downwardly and outwardly from the keeper, afsealing plate overlying the keeper and projecting` tongue and having projections which pass through the front panel and secure the sealing plate and keeper to the panel, and a key having a stem which is adaptedto be'inserted through the slot in the cover plate, thence down between the lng a shoulder which when the key has been pushed down the predetermined distance will engage with the tongue ofthe keeper in such manner as to prevent the key from then being-withdrawn, said key Vhaving a head which limits the downward movement of the key, thelocking mechanism being entirely outside of the interior of the box.

V8. A locking and sealing device for a covered box, said device comprising a slottedV plate attached to the cover of the Vbox and projecting over the front edge of the cover, a keeper and a sealing plate overlying the keeper, said keeper and sealing plate both being secured to the Jfront panel of the box by means of members projecting from the sealing plate, said securing members consisting of studs formed integral with the sealing plate, and clencher fingers integral therewith, and a key which is adapted to be inserted through the slot in the cover plate and extend down between the keeper 'and sealing plate and make connection with the keeper.

9. A locking and sealing device for a covered box, said device comprising a plate attached to the -cover of the box and having a slotted portion which Vextends over the front edge of the cover, a keeper plate attached to the front panel ofthe box, a sealing plate overlying the keeper and havingon itsfside v edges clencher fingers which pass through the front panel of the box and are clenched on the in'neriside of said panel, thereby securing thesealing plate and keeper to the panel, and a key having a stem Ywhich is adapted to be inserted through the slot in the cover plate and to extend down'between the keeper and the sealing plate and make a latchconnection with the keeper.

l0. A locking'and sealing device fora covered box, said device comprising a keeper plate attached to the front panel of the box, a sealing plate overlying and covering the keeper'and secured to the 'front panel of the box and having an entrance between the keeper and sealing plate, the cover being formed Withan aperture in alinement with said entrance between the keeper and sealing plate, and a key having a stem which is adapted to be inserted through the aperture in the cover and to extend down between the keeper and the sealing plate and make a latch connection with the keeper, said key being formed with a laterally extending flange on its upper end which is normally at an acute angle to the stem of the key in such manner that when the key is inserted the said flange must be bent into a greater angle to the stem in order to permit the stem to be forced down far enough for the said stem to make a latch connection with the keeper.

l1. A locking and sealing device for a covered box, said device comprising a plate attached to the outside of the cover of the box and projecting over the front edge of the cover, the projecting portion being formed with a key slot, a keeper attached to the front panel of the box, a sealing plate overlying the keeper and secured to the front panel, a key adapted to extend down through the slot in the cover plate and between the keeper and the sealing plate and make a latch connection with the keeper, and meansA whereby after the latch connection is made the key is held against removal, the cover plate being formed with hollow rib portions around its periphery.

12. A locking and sealing device for a covered box, said device comprising a plate attached to the outside of the cover ot' the box and projecting over the front edge of the cover, a keeper attached to the front panel of the box, a sealing plate overlying the keeper and secured to the front panel, a key adapted to extend down through the cover plate and between the keeper and the sealing plate and make a latch connection with the keeper, and means whereby after the latch connection is made the key is held against removal, the cover plate being formed with hollow rib portions around its periphery and having a corrugated front flange which extends down over the front edge of the cover.

13. A locking and sealing device for a covered box, said device comprising a plate attached to the cover of the box and projecting over the front edge of the cover, a keeper attached to the frontpanel of the box, a sealing plate overlying the keeper and secured to the front panel, a key adapted to extend down through the cover plate and between the keeper and the sealing plate and make a latch connection with the keeper, and means whereby after the latch connection is made the key is held against re moval, the cover plate being formed with hollow rib portions around its periphery and having a corrugated front flange which extends down over the front edge of the cover, the front flange of the cover plate being at each end inclined outwardly from the end for some distance toward the middle and having hollow vertical ribs intermediate said two inclined end portions, the sealing plate also having vertical hollow ribs in alinement with said vertical hollow ribs in the front flange of the cover. Y

lll. ik locking and scaling device for a covered box, said device comprising a. plate attached to the cover of the box and pro jecting over the front edge of the cover, a keeper attached to the front panel of the box, a sealing plate overlying the keeper and se cured to `the front panel, a key adapted to extend down through the cover plate and between the keeper and the sealing plate and make a latch connection with the keeper, and means whereby after the latch connection is made the key is held against removal, said key having flange ears which project down over the -front edge of the cover.

ln testimony whereof l aflix my signature.

SAlWUEL B. FIELD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Uommissioner at Patente, Washington, I). C. 

